Community Building Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Statewide Maine (all 16 counties)

Focus Areas: Arts, education, environment, economic development, human services, and community improvement/capacity building

Purpose: Supports projects and organizations focused on making communities stronger through:

• Investing in people by increasing skills/abilities, knowledge, and/or well-being
• Engaging the people served in design, delivery, and/or evaluation of work
• Strengthening community resources including organizations, partnerships, and built and natural environments

Funding Types:

• General Support: Flexible funding for any type such as new/expanding/ongoing programs and operational needs including capital expenses
• Project Grants: Support for NEW projects within the first two years, including capital expenses

General Support Eligibility Requirements

• Located in Maine (organization has a Maine address)
• Most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses BELOW $500,000
• NOT a municipality, government agency, public school, or faith-based organization
• Proposed project/organization must meet Community Building criteria

Project Grant Eligibility Requirements

• Located in Maine (organization has a Maine address)
• Most recent completed fiscal or financial year expenses AT or ABOVE $500,000
• Municipalities, government agencies, public schools, or faith-based organizations may apply regardless of expenses
• Total project budget does not exceed $100,000
• Project expenses DO NOT include endowments, annual appeals, or scholarships
• For organizations with expenses below $500,000, project grants are for NEW projects only

Project Budget Guidelines

• Up to 20% of total amount requested can be for administrative costs
• Administrative costs may be used for overhead or operating expenses (rent, utilities, bookkeeping)
• Can be labeled as "administrative costs" line item
• Maximum $2,000 for a $10,000 request (or 20% of total requested, whichever is less)
• No need to specify how administrative funds will be used

General Requirements

• All applicants must meet Maine Community Foundation's grant eligibility requirements
• Applications must focus on one county that will most directly benefit (or "statewide" if three or more counties benefit)
• Community Building Grants can only support activities occurring after grant award (usually by June 1)
• Reviewed by volunteer advisors (130+ advisors representing all 16 counties)
• Committees identify strongest proposals meeting criteria with diverse sectors, geography, and populations

2025 Cycle Statistics

• Applications received: 716
• Amount requested: $6,815,477
• Number of grants awarded: 271
• Grant dollars awarded: $2,408,808
• Additional grants by donors: $372,850
• Percentage receiving funding varies by county

Additional Resources:

• Online grant application portal (launched July 2025)
• Microsoft Word version of 2026 Application Questions and Guidance available with additional helpful information
• Information webinar available
• Frequently Asked Questions section
• Grant recipient FAQs

County-Specific Programs: Community Building grants are awarded through county and regional committees for:

• Androscoggin County
• Aroostook County
• Cumberland County
• Hancock County
• Kennebec County
• Knox County
• Lincoln County
• Oxford County
• Penobscot County
• Piscataquid County
• Sagadahoc County
• Waldo County
• Washington County
• Western Mountains (Franklin and Somerset counties)
• York County
• Statewide Fund

Application Process

1. Access the Online Portal
   • MaineCF launched new online grant application portal in July 2025
   • Access via "Apply" button on grant program page
   • Create account in online system
2. Prepare Your Application
   • Download Microsoft Word version of 2026 Application Questions and Guidance
   • Guidance document includes red text with additional helpful information (not shown in online portal)
   • Use guidance to draft proposal before submitting online
3. Select Primary County
   • Indicate ONE county that will most directly benefit from funding
   • This determines which committee will review proposal
   • If three or more counties benefit, select "statewide" option
4. Complete Application Questions
   • Application includes narrative questions about organization and/or project
   • General Support Applications: Focus answers on organization's work and how organization meets Community Building criteria (not a specific project)
   • Project Grant Applications: Focus on NEW project meeting Community Building criteria
5. Submit Online
   • Submit through online portal by deadline
   • Deadline: February 17, 11:59 p.m. (annual)

Review Process

1. Staff Eligibility Review
   • All proposals reviewed by staff to determine eligibility
2. Committee Screening
   • Depending on volume, subcommittee may screen proposals
   • Proposals not closely matching criteria may be declined
   • Final pool limited to amount committees can reasonably review
3. Advisor Contact
   • Eligible proposals assigned to county advisor or staff member
   • Advisors contact proposal contact by email
   • Brief telephone call scheduled for late March or April
4. Committee Decision
   • Committee collectively reviews eligible proposals for their county/region
   • Committee decides which proposals to fund
   • Decisions based on meeting program criteria and representing diverse sectors, geography, and populations

Timeline

• Application Opens: November 17 (annually)
• Deadline: February 17, 11:59 p.m.
• Notification: By June 1

Required Materials

• Completed online application form
• Responses to narrative questions
• Organization budget information
• Project budget (for project grants)
• Documentation of organizational eligibility

Resources Available

• 2026 Application Questions and Guidance (Microsoft Word version with red text guidance)
• Webinar recording on grant program changes
• Presentation notes and slides
• Frequently Asked Questions
• County-specific staff contacts
• Help for Applicants resources